Dozens killed in fresh tribal clashes in Central Darfur

June 21, 2014 (KHARTOUM) - Dozens of people were killed Saturday in fresh clashes between Salamat and Misseriya tribes in Central Darfur, over accusation of cattle raiding.

A Salamat tribal leader told Sudan Tribune, that Misseriya gunmen backed by Ta’aisha tribesmen attacked a camp of Salamat cattle keepers in al-Mirdiff, Um Dukhun county, in Central Darfur near the border with Chad.

The tribal dignitary who preferred to remain anonymous expressed his frustration over the lack of government troops intervention to stop the fighting despite their presence in the area.

He said that the clashes lasted all the day, but added that tribal efforts from both sides are taking place to prevent its resumption on Sunday.

The clashes between the two Arab tribes in Um Dukhun resumed since last March when the Misseriya had been angered by the arrest and hand over of one of their members to the Chadian police .

The African tribe of Ta’aisha is reportedly backing the Misseriya in this conflict because they accuse the Salamat, a Chadian tribe recently settled in Darfur, of disputing their land and pastures.

Last February, the Salamat demonstrated in the Sudanese capital to protest “the killing of "innocent people in Um Dukhun area”.

The protesters handed over a memorandum to the state minister at the Sudanese presidency, Salah Wansi who pledged to resolve the dispute between the two tribes.

The two tribes signed several reconciliation deals in the past.

Tribal clashes are now seen as the first source of violence in the western Sudan region and displaced thousands of civilians in Darfur five states.

(ST)

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